OVER 24 MILLION VOTES SEND ALEXIS GRACE, MICHAEL SARVER AND DANNY GOKEY TO THE "AMERICAN IDOL" TOP 12

SECOND GROUP OF 12 SEMIFINALISTS TAKE THE STAGE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, ON FOX

Three More Finalists to Advance During Next LIVE Results Show on Thursday, February 26

With over 24 million votes cast after Tuesday's performance show �almost 10 million more than this time last year � it was revealed tonight that Alexis Grace from Memphis, TN; Michael Sarver from Jasper, TX; and Danny Gokey from Milwaukee, WI, were chosen by America to become the first three finalists to advance to AMERICAN IDOL's Top 12.

On Tuesday night, Grace sang "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" by Aretha Franklin, Sarver entertained the audience with "I Don't Want To Be" by Gavin DeGraw and Gokey performed "Hero" by Mariah Carey.

Next week, the second set of 12 semifinalists (Kris Allen, Matt Breitzke, Megan Joy Corkrey, Matt Giraud, Mishavonna Henson, Allison Iraheta, Kai Kalama, Adam Lambert, Jesse Langseth, Nick Mitchell, Jasmine Murray and Jeanine Vailes) will perform live Wednesday, Feb. 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) in the hopes of winning America's vote. Tune in the following night to see which three semifinalists advance to the Top 12 on the live results show Thursday, Feb. 26(8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America.

Visit americanidol.com for exclusive videos and photos from the audition cities, special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news. For all photo requests, please visitfoxflash.com.